Latest news with #MaryWineberg
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cincinnati Public Schools to cut vacant positions amid $50 million budget gap
Cincinnati Public Schools could see personnel cuts because of a $50 million budget gap for the upcoming school year. But on June 2, the Board of Education voted only to eliminate vacant positions. The board may still approve layoffs in the near future to address the budget gap. During its meeting June 2, the board approved the cuts in a 6-0 vote that included additional cost-cutting measures in the upcoming fiscal year. Board member Mary Wineberg was not present at the meeting and, therefore, didn't vote. The number of vacant positions and which ones will be cut was not specified at the meeting; however, officials said it is unlikely certain open jobs, such as science and math teachers, will be eliminated. The vote also excluded immediately cutting the roughly three vacant social worker positions in the district. Instead, the board will freeze hiring for these positions until the next board meeting in two weeks, during which board members will discuss whether it needs to eliminate these positions. Cincinnati Public Schools community members repeatedly pushed back on cutting social workers at recent board meetings. Parents and district employees emphasized the importance of social workers at the June 2 meeting. "Social workers identify students in crisis, connect families with vital services and ensure kids are seen and supported,' Sandra Horine, a school counselor for the district, said. 'Without school social workers," she continued, "we're asking students to focus on math and reading while their world feels like it's falling apart." The district could also see property sales. Board members gave approval to the administration to sell properties. One that's likely to sell is a set of tennis courts above Coy Field near the University of Cincinnati, said Daniel Hoying, an attorney for the district. The property is expected to bring in $500,000 or more, he said. The district did not discuss selling school buildings currently in use. The board previously approved cutting the district's contract with the Cincinnati Health Department to supply nurses, and could make other such cuts of third-party contracts. It's not clear which, however. The cost-saving measures are in response to an anticipated budget gap of roughly $51 million to $52 million between the current fiscal year and the upcoming one. The gap is due to the amount of money the district will likely receive from government funding, it said. The district's COVID-19 pandemic funds, which provided relief for kids struggling after the pandemic, have dried up and the Ohio legislature's draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year shows a drop in funding to public schools, the district said. A district spokesperson said the budget gap is not due to the district overspending. District officials are scrambling to finalize a balanced budget before the June 30 deadline. Some board members expressed concern that, even after the June 2 meeting, a clear way to a balanced budget before the deadline does not exist. Member Ben Lindy stressed protecting and improving the district's academics during the process. "The most cost-effective investment we can make is for us to fund training and support for teachers so that we help them implement the high-quality curricula we've already purchased," Lindy told The Enquirer. "This kind of investment is 40 times more cost-effective than class size reductions," he said, citing a statistic from the policy institute Center for American Progress. The board asked Cincinnati Public Schools administrators to identify how the district can help teachers better implement curricula. Board members also expressed hesitation in cutting social workers and paraprofessionals. Some members said doing so would go against the district's goals to improve academic outcomes and wellness for students. The board asked the administration to look into how cuts could be made that are in alignment with these goals. The next time the board will meet to discuss the district's budget is June 23. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Public Schools to cut vacant positions for budget gap
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cincinnati Public Schools' board to discuss budget cuts amid $50 million budget gap
Cincinnati Public Schools will discuss budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year at a board of education meeting on the evening of June 2. The Board Business Meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Mary A. Ronan Education Center at 2651 Burnet Ave. According to the meeting agenda, the board will discuss the fiscal year 2026 budget and vote. However, which cuts the board will vote on is unclear. The school district said it anticipates a budget gap of more than $50 million between the current fiscal year and the upcoming one. This gap is due to the amount of money the district will likely receive from government funding in the upcoming year, it said. COVID-19 pandemic funds for the district have dried up and the Ohio legislature's draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year shows a drop in funding to public schools, the district said. A district spokesperson said the budget gap is not due to the district overspending. More: Olympian Mary Wineberg will not seek reelection to Cincinnati Public Schools' board At recent Cincinnati Public School board meetings, district parents and community members expressed concern about some of the suggested budget cuts. This includes a decrease in paraprofessionals at the district's Montessori schools and cuts to social workers. As part of the budget cuts, the board voted at the May 19 meeting to terminate the district's contract with the Cincinnati Health Department to supply school nurses. The district will instead hire health professionals as Cincinnati Public Schools employees. Cincinnati Public Schools' fiscal year begins July 1. However, the district's budget may be finalized after this date if the state budget, which gives funding to Ohio's public schools, is finalized close to its deadline. The state budget must be signed by Gov. Mike Dewine by June 30 so it can take effect on July 1. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Public Schools board to discuss budget cuts Monday
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Olympian Mary Wineberg will not seek reelection to Cincinnati Public Schools' board
A well-known member of the Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education said she will not seek reelection this November. Mary Wineberg, an Olympic gold medalist, has served on the board since 2022 and was vice president for a year. She announced on Facebook on May 27 she will not seek a second term "after much thought and reflection over the past two months." She added that she will continue to serve and fulfill her current term until Dec. 31. "Serving on the board has been an incredible experience – filled with tough decisions, meaningful initiatives, and important conversations," Wineberg said in a statement. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this journey, and I will always be a champion for our students, families, and community," she said. Wineberg did not elaborate on why she chose not to seek reelection. She told The Enquirer she will be coaching and "pursuing other endeavors." Wineberg was named Walnut Hills High School's head coach for its track and field program in December 2024. Wineberg competed for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, running the opening leg for the 4x400 meter relay team that won a gold medal. According to Cincinnati Public Schools' website, she graduated from Walnut Hills in 1998 and worked as a teacher for the district for 11 years. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mary Wineberg won't seek reelection to Cincinnati Board of Education
